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Oregon Department of Driver and Motor Vehicles

Teens in Oregon have the choice of taking a driver's education course, a luxury not given to teens in many other states. In part, this guide will provide the information that is most relevant to making that choice. It will also detail specifically how to go about acquiring a driver's license, from the documentation you will need to take with you to the DMV for your permit to how to pass the road test.

Should I Take Driver's Education or Not?

Driver's education is not mandatory in Oregon, but there is a price for not enrolling. Anyone who does not take a driver's education course must fulfill double the number of hours in supervised driving, while they are driving with a permit. The figure jumps from 50 hours to 100. If considering the alternative to driver's education, it is advisable to obtain the permit as early as the law allows, at 15. Then drive whenever possible for the first few months to see how many hours you are able to log. You will not be able to go back to the DMV for a road test before you turn 16, anyway. Parents may also have input about their child's driving.

Documentation

No matter whether you are applying for a permit or a provisional driver's license, residents of Oregon are required to bring the same proof that identifies who they are, where they live, how old they are, and their social security number.

A birth certificate is proof of legal presence, identity, date of birth, and full legal name (more information on how to prove this without a birth certificate can be found on the Oregon DMV website)

Proof of residence can be provided by a verbal statement of anyone also living at your home address. This person's name must be on the application itself. Since you will need a parental signature on the application anyway, this makes parents a great (and possibly only) option. Once you have a permit, this document will count as proof of residence.

When you return to the DMV for your road test and the driver's license, you do not need to worry about proof of residence. You do, however, still need to bring a parent who will sign the application.

Proof of school enrollment is also mandatory for minors to receive driving privileges. This form may be found at your school, school district, or educational services district. For more information, regarding exceptions to this rule, such as early graduation, see the DMV website's page on statement of enrollment.

Tests

There are two tests-the knowledge test and the road test. The Oregon DMV website has a number of resources that will help you prepare, and it is important to take studying seriously. Plenty of people fail the first test.

Plan Ahead for the Road and Knowledge Tests!

In order to schedule a knowledge test in Oregon, it is important to visit the Oregon Department of Driver and Motor Vehicles office locations web tool. Each location keeps its own hours and exam schedules. You will also need to schedule a road test beforehand. The website keeps updated information, so it is a good idea to check the website right before leaving for a road test, especially during bad weather.

Knowledge Test Prep

The Oregon Department of Transportation website has a number of resources that can be helpful to prospective drivers, including Sample Oregon Department of Driver and Motor Vehicles Knowledge Tests, an Audio Version of the Driver's Manual, and the basic, PDF version of the Driver's Manual. In addition, there is a parental guide to teen driving, which can help during the instruction permit component of driver training.